Dear Politicians: Don't Let the GSA Scandal Devalue Meetings

It’s ironic that the same politicians who have, since 2009, attacked corporate meetings paved the way for the GSA to spend freely at a minimum of 77 conferences.

This blog isn’t going to discuss the legitimacy of GSA meetings, but the venues that host them are a vital part of the economy.  The Meetings and Conference industry adds billions of dollars to the US GDP and employs millions of hospitality workers.

According to a recent study by the Financial and Insurance Conference Planners (FICP), the annual collective-buying power of FICP member organizations ranges between $659 million and $913 million. The study of 91 FICP planner members, which was conducted in March, also reveals that 95 percent of those polled have average annual meeting budgets of $3 million, spend $900,000 for their largest annual event and planned approximately 95 meetings in 2011. In other findings, 95 percent of respondents expect their budgets to increase or remain flat in 2013, and 21 percent expect an increase in the size of their meeting planning teams next year.  (Meetings and Conventions Magazine – July 8, 2012) 

The $800,000 the GSA spent in Las Vegas is about average for a large conference.

However, since the financial crisis of 2008, corporate meetings have found creative ways to stretch budgets and even add serious business elements to destination incentives.  This category of meeting is traditionally a luxury experience reward for top company performers.  For example, destination meetings we have managed in New York saved thousands of dollars by piggybacking food and AV with other meetings at a hotel.  They sometimes cut luxury itineraries in favor of open downtime.  

Most notably, corporate meeting attendees have not shown up on YouTube sipping top-shelf champagne in Las Vegas penthouses.  In fact, the opposite is true.  At Shackman Associates, we have helped meetings appropriately stay under-the-radar during the challenging financial climate and include economic development tours and “give-back” programs in the local community in New York City.

Destinations like Las Vegas and New York have finally bounced back after several years of unhelpful and uneducated criticism by politicians in Washington.  Let’s hope that going forward, government meetings use some of the cost-saving strategies corporate meetings have been using for the past 4 years.

New on Broadway: "Bring it On!"

"Bring It On!" is a high-energy musical opening this fall on Broadway.  If the name sounds familiar, it should be.  The musical is based on the cheerleader movie series that mostly went straight to video, but that is where the similarities end.

The Broadway production of "Bring It On!" features exciting live cheer routines, great music, better acting and the energy of 30 people debuting on Broadway at one time.  It's an ideal show for meeting and incentive groups traveling with spouses. 

Shackman Associates provides corporate meeting and destination incentive attendees with unique Broadway experiences that have included backstage passes and interaction with the productions stars.

New on Broadway: "Chaplin"

Fresh off of winning the San Diego Theatre Critic's Award for Best Musical during its run at The LaJolla Playhouse, "Chaplin" is headed for Broadway in New York City.

The musical, which chronicles the story of silent film icon Charlie Chaplin as he moved from London to become a Hollywood film star, will begin previews on August 21. 

Shackman Associates New York provides corporate meeting and destination incentive attendees with unique Broadway experiences including backstage passes and interaction with the stars of the production.

Only in New York City: Vegan Donuts!

Shackman Associates has another meeting food idea you'll only find in New York - Vegan Donuts.

In our continuing series of posts about healthy, savory food ideas for your destination meeting, several companies with locations around Manhattan, are leading a renaissance of the entire concept of eating donuts. 

Any good vegan can finally know how to appreciate fresh doughnuts daily with few flavors made from seasonal fresh and sometimes organic produce.  For example, Organic Orange, Fresh Raspberry,  Pistachio, Almond Marzipan, Pomegranate and Fresh Apple Cinnamon.

Here are the common denominators you won't find in your meeting break pastries:

No Trans fat.
No Preservatives.
No Artificial Flavorings.
No Eggs.

Some donuts are also gluten-free. 

3 Ways Your Meeting Can "Beat the Heat"

The US can get quite hot in the summer and 2012 could the hottest yet. 

So how can your corporate meeting and destination incentive attendees beat the heat?

Shackman Associates has 3 ice-cold ideas in New York City:

1. Ice rink in a ballroom.  We recently ran a gala event at a major hotel with a temporary ice rink in the middle of the ballroom.  Included was a live performance by professional skaters and an opportunity for meeting attendees to join in .

2. Sub Zero Ice Cages.  If your group is looking to cool off on the wild side, downtown features sub-zero ice cage bars with a vodka drinking room.  One venue is ideal for groups with a gypsy party trolley from your hotel and back.

3. Polar at the Marcel.  With fluffy and furry while pillow and icy mirrors, your group can indulge in the venue's unique menu of mixology including:  The Tundra; and Operation Highjump, featuring "42 below" vodka.

Meeting Break Idea: Gourmet Greek Yogurt Bars in NYC

Tired of the usual pastry and coffee at your destination meeting?  Are food trucks yesterday's news? In New York City, an exciting breed of "Yogurt Bars" have opened in Manhattan near many major hotel venues.

Greek yogurt, with thicker consistency than more sugary competitors found in many supermarkets, has become increasingly popular because it's low in fat and high in protein. 

Chobani and Dannon have opened stores in SoHo, which is close to multiple new boutique hotels, and at Grand Central Station in Midtown, a five minute walk from the Waldorf and Hyatt.  Like New York's gourment coffee houses which attract tens of thousands of tourists, yogurt bar menus include items you can't get anywhere else in the US - for example, yogurt featuring chopped figs and walnuts with honey drizzled on top, or yogurt with cucumbers or olive oil.

Katie Holmes Returns to Broadway

Fresh from her divorce settlement with Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes is wasting no time getting her career back on track and her first stop will be Broadway. 

She will star this fall in the new dark comedy “Dead Accounts" by Theresa Rebeck, a Pulitzer Prize finalist whose play, "Seminar", was a big hit on Broadway last year. 

Katie Holmes, who made her Broadway debut in 2008 in a revival of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons", will portray Lorna, a somewhat regular person on a diet, who is living with her aging parents in Cincinnati while trying to pull together her life. 

The Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (“The Coast of Utopia,” “Hairspray”) is directing the five-character play, which will run at the Music Box Theater this fall.

Shackman Associates New York has provided corporate meeting and destination incentive clients with unique Broadway experiences that include backstage passes and interaction with talent from the production. 

For more information about run dates for Dead Accounts, contact us at dmc@shackmanassociates.com.

4 New Tech Features for Meeting Scavenger Hunts

We have blogged multiple times about uses of QR codes at corporate meetings and destination incentives.  We recently incorporated QR and GPS into a scavenger hunt in Central Park in Manhattan and more advances have been made to make team building activities like this even more exciting.

Among the newest features available for a scavenger hunt are:

1. Mobile optimized web-based applications that will work with all types of mobile devices
2. Synergy to track your group's progress and see how your competitors are doing
3. No need to download a gaming app
4. A platform admin portal, QR window client and other elements such as T-shirts, posters, pillows and pop-up banners.

Not surprisingly, New York City leads the US in venues with QR codes.  This includes most public attractions, hotels and many retailers.  With expanded technology, Shackman Associates can help your meeting group customize any scavenger hunt with efficient scheduling, unique challenges, and enhanced interactivity with locals. 



Photo courtesy of Worldseeker

Why ObamaCare Ruling Justifies Corporate Meetings

Whether you agree or disagree with today’s ruling on ObamaCare, we are still left with a 2,000-page law that few people, businesses and industry associations understand. 

Hospitals, medical device manufacturers, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, technology companies and the health care investment community will need, now more than ever, a forum to discuss how to prepare for new regulations and opportunities and act individually and as industries.

And that’s just in health care.  Virtually every company and industry association will be affected by the health care law and corporate leaders will need to thoroughly discuss continuing compliance strategies.

It makes a powerful case for a corporate or association meeting.   

Here in New York City, we have seen dynamic growth of innovative health care companies and health care technology firms.   We have also managed meetings for international Pharma manufacturers, insurance companies, and large associations with heavy business components.  With over 90,000 available hotel rooms in the city, meeting planners can quickly find the amenities and business components they need to schedule a productive forum.

Let’s hope politicians in Washington understand how important these meetings will be.  MPI recently released a toolkit that helps planners justify the need for meetings whenever the media or Congress claims it’s a waste.

If politicians in Washington continue to stand by behind ObamaCare, then they also need to stand behind corporate meetings that will help it work better.     

AN “EYE” ON NEW YORK!

Seems like New York will be rivaling London with its very own “Eye” Ferris Wheel!  The proposed  Ferris Wheel will be located on the north shore of Staten Island , very close to the ferry terminal from Lower Manhattan – just 25 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown New York.

At a proposed height of 600 feet, this New York Ferris Wheel stands to be even taller than The London Eye, and is estimated to draw some 2 million visitors who regularly take the Staten Island ferry – not to mention a whole new demographic of visitors who stand to enjoy the vistas of New York and beyond.

This means a whole new opportunity for our clients to experience in the not-too-distant future!
Watch this space, we will provide regular updates.

Broadway on a Budget for Meetings and Incentives

Catching a Broadway show is a favorite after-hours activity for meeting and incentive attendees and we have frequently blogged about exciting new musicals and plays that are opening each month. 

Because we look to provide special experiences like backstage access and interaction with leading performers, timing your meeting for Broadway's off-season helps us improve your favorite show with high demand.  Ask us how we can help you ideally schedule your upcoming meeting to take advantage of the off-season for top performances!

BROADWAY NEWS: Billy Ray Cyrus Joins Cast of Chicago

Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus will make his Broadway debut on November 5 in “Chicago.”

Perhaps the world's most famous father - his daughter is Miley Cyrus - the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer is ditching Nashville for now and will take on the role of criminal lawyer Billy Flynn for a seven-week engagement.

Other celebrities to join the “Chicago” cast have included Sofia Vergara, Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, Ashlee Simpson, Usher, Huey Lewis, Michael C. Hall and Jerry Springer.

Shackman Associates New York has provided corporate meetings and incentive travel groups up-close experiences for shows like "Chicago" that includes theatre tours, backstage access and interaction with leading characters.

Another Hotel Grows in Brooklyn

Shackman Associates NYC has become a leading source of meeting trends in Brooklyn and just this week,, we have learned that Toll Brothers and Starwood Capital Group expect to break ground next summer on a 200-room hotel next to Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

The $300 hotel, which will also include 159 condos, is the latest Brooklyn project in wave of hotel development targeted toward corporate meeting and incentive groups.

We recently toured the Wythe Hotel in Williamburg with a destination meeting client.  Hotels in the borough are offering attendees a funkier perspective of New York City, exciting local dining options, unique after-hours group venues and quick access to the booming Lower East Side and East Village. 

Mike and Spike Head to Broadway

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson announced this week that he will team up with director Spike Lee to bring his one-man show, "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth," to the Longacre Theatre in Manhattan for six nights.  The shows runs from July 31 - August 5

The show features a raw confessional on the highs and lows of Tyson's life and will also mark Spike Lee's debut as a director on Broadway.

Lee is the director behind such films as "Do the Right Thing," "Malcolm X" and "Inside Man," and much of his films make bold statements about race relations in the United States. 

Tyson's show is the latest in a line of one-person shows to hit Broadway, including ones by William Shatner, Hugh Jackman and Kathy Griffin.  We expect this trend to continue and are specialists in providing corporate meeting and incentive groups "unique Broadway experiences."

AND THE WINNER IS...

Last night New York celebrated the best of Broadway, as the city hosted the 66th Annual Tony Awards.
From the many nominees, the following winners were applauded:

MUSICALS

The Gerswhin's Porgy and Bess,
Winner of Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Audra McDonald)

Newsies
Winner of Best Original Score Written for the Theatre
Best Choreography

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Winner of Best Performances by an Actor (Michael McGrath)
Winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Jjudy Kaye)

Once 
Winner of Best musical, Best Book of a Musical,
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Steve Kazee),
Best Direction of a Musical
Best Orchestrations
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Best Sound Design of a Musical

PLAYS

Clybourne Park
Winner Best Play

One Man, Two Guvnors
Winner of Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (James Corden)

Other Desert Cities
Winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Judith Light)

Peter and the Starcatcher
Winner of Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Christian Borle),
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Best Costume Design of a Play
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Best Sound Design of a Play

Off-Broadway for Meeting Groups: A Wonderfully Chaotic Event

An Off-Broadway production can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. But you haven't really visited New York until you experience one.  With Fuerza Bruta, your corporate group will absorb fear, shame, chaos, serenity, harmony, and peace all in one "scene".  For example, there is a man running on a treadmill who is running from his problems.  Or perhaps the man running on the treadmill is running from fear.  The performers obviously thrive on chaos.  Maybe that's why women and men in the show throw boxes at each other.

But if it was cool enough for Usher to make two special guest performances, Fuerza Bruta is cool enough for your next after-hours meeting idea. 

Shackman Associates just checked it out - you are right in the middle of the experience at Fuerza Bruta.  Originally from Buenos Aires, there is the music, the fun, some confetti, and at times, it feels like you are in the movie Inception.

You won't forget it.

Productions like this are popping up everywhere in New York and Shackman Associates provides meeting attendees with special experiences at these kinds of shows.

2 "Raw" and "Racy" Ideas for Healthy Meetings and Incentives

Executives and meeting planners know that staying healthy on the road  helps attendees stay sharp in meetings.

Shackman Associates New York has 2 ideas to keep your meeting healthy and adventurous:

1. Healthy Menus.  We help develop menus for banquets and galas with a local flavor from produce growers and farmers.  New York is also the home to a boom in "raw food".  Restaurants with catering and event options have been popping up near hot, new boutique hotels and raw food - never cooked above 118 degrees Fahrenheit - has become a Manhattan gourmet delicacy with fans that include celebrities and former President Bill Clinton.  

2. Park races, active tours and scavenger hunts.   With more park space than any other major city, “active” eventsoptions are abundant throughout Manhattan.  Two attendee favorites are organized bike tours or races and scavenger hunts through Central and Riverside Parks.  During attendee downtime, there are numerous free options – including race walking  programs and 45-minute deep yoga sessions.  Several specialized yoga studios have opened in the Meatpacking District and many of Manhattan’s new hotels boasts state-of-the-art gyms.

Watch the Space Shuttle Arrive and Thrive at the USS Intrepid

On April 27, millions watched in awe as the Space Shuttle Enterprise flew up the Hudson River and over Manhattan on its way to JFK airport.  It will open on July 19 at the USS Intrepid Museum.

But the shuttle's journey isn't over.  Its final arrival is scheduled for sometime in June, and will involve another spectacle: The Enterprise will sail up the Hudson River and be hoisted, via crane, to the deck of the legendary carrier Intrepid.

The shuttle's "flight" over Manhattan lasted for seconds.  Its sailing will last hours and is a great idea for spending some downtime during your meeting. 

Shackman Associates New York has managed spectacular corporate events and galas on the USS Intrepid and the addition of the shuttle will make this a more attractive venue than ever. 

Photo courtesy of Wired.com

Meetings go Bump, Grind and Shimmy with Burlesque Events

Burlesque is making a huge comeback in movies, closets, fitness and mixology venues.  It can be also be a creative addition to your next corporate destination meeting.

Shackman Associates New York is on the cutting edge of this trend and your group can customize the burlesque experience.   This is an especially attractive option for spouses during incentive trips.  If you're not a performer, but if you want to learn to perform, burlesque classes help meeting attendees learn from some of the most experienced, fun-loving, and successful people in the industry.

Classes teach multiple forms of the art and your experience can end there or continue by watching your instructors perform live on stage later in the evening!

Corporate Incentive Shopping Experiences Evolve in NYC

Shackman Associates has coordinated special shopping experiences for incentive travel clients, and while a few glasses of champagne at Saks 5th Avenue remains popular, this is an experience that has become exponentially more imaginative throughout the city.

Want something funky?  Boutiques in the Lower East Side and SoHo are pushing the envelope with the latest designs from Italy and independent designers.

If you want to completely bypass the showroom, we recommend "Behind the Scenes Tours" with manufacturers in the Garment District.  You'll get the first crack at hot fashion before the retailers do and manufacturers are providing comfort at the level you'll see at any storefront on 5th Avenue.



Destination Incentive shopping tours today provide the shoes you'll wear at the beach this summer.



Private shopping tours are providing the same comfort you'll get at major retailers.

A Very "Cheesy" Meeting and Incentive

Many business travelers visiting New York make a point of trying the city's world famous pizza and bagels.  We have arranged pizza tours for meeting and incentive groups and they are wildly popular with attendees.

In 2011, business travelers sought food trucks for every occasion.

In 2012, a new dish might be surpassing all of them - Gourmet Mac and Cheese.  The New York Post recently reported thMac and Cheese is the #1 ordered food in Manhattan and some of New York's top Chefs are taking an old classic to new and delicious levels.   For example, if you haven’t tried NYC’s  buffalo chicken Mac and Cheese, we know who makes the most unique versions - perfect for extended meeting breaks, cocktail reception buffets  and working lunches.

The New "King" on Broadway

"The Lion King" has officially become the #1 all-time grossing production on Broadway, surpassing "Phantom of the Opera".  According to the show's producer, Lion King has taken in $853,846,062. It's an incredidle accomplishment because "The Lion King's" run on Broadway has been 10 years shorter than "Phantom."

Shackman Associates New York has provided corporate meetings and incentive travel groups up-close experiences for shows like "The Lion King" that includes theatre tours, backstage access and interaction with leading characters.

Magic and Bird: The Broadway Show the Guys in Your Meeting or Incentive Group Will Love

If your next destination business meeting is shaping up to be "guy-centric", Magic-Bird opens this Wednesday on Broadway and groups of men who have seen the preview together say it might be better than the product you'll see down 7th Avenue at Madison Square Garden.

The production is a celebration of one of basketball's storied rivalries between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.  Magic and Bird met in one of college basketball's most revered championship games, again 3 times as professionals in the NBA finals, and lastly as teammates for the first Olympic "Dream Team" in 1992.   

The show also covers Magic Johnson's stunning revelation that he had the HIV virus - and according to what we hear, it will send a tear down the face of the most hardened corporate CEO.

Basketball has exploded in popularity around the globe and international meeting attendees are likely to recognize the main characters.  Even if they don't, Magic-Bird is riding a new trend of transformative Broadway productions that are making "catching a show" more popular than ever while in New York City.

Destination Downtown NYC: The New Conrad Hotel

BATTERY PARK CITY (BPC) is boasting a new arrival! Set to make its formal debut this week is The Conrad, a brand new incarnation of a former property strategically positioned to offer sweeping views of the Hudson River and beyond.

Considered to be a sophisticated sanctuary of modern elegance in the Financial District, this 16 story, 463-suite property with a dramatic lobby brings to the neighborhood approximately 30,000 sq.ft. of event and meeting space, and some pretty unique artwork which is dotted around the hotel. A rooftop terrace, opening later in the season, will provide 360 degree views of the New York City skyline and the Hudson River.

Just to add another dimension to this new area to explore, three restaurants owned by renowned restaurant, Danny Meyer, flank The Conrad – Blue Smoke, Shake Shack and North End Grill. So, if you need your fix in BPC, this is the place to go

.

The Speakeasy meets Mixology: NYC's hottest new corporate meeting and incentive event

They are sexy, classy, warm, vintage, and just a touch mysterious.  Welcome to the world of the 2012 Speakeasy in New York City. 

In the 1920's, Speakeasies were born throughout New York as hidden sections of a respected  establishments that were used to illegally sell alcoholic beverages during Prohibition.  You don't need a password to gain admittance, but it's a good idea to plan ahead if you want to hold an event at one. 

Shackman Associates New York has tapped into the Speakeasy boom in New York and unlike their predecessors a century ago, today's Speakeasies are combining the world's best mixologists with top chefs, luxury, and jazz entertainment similar to what you would find in 1925. 

Here are 3 liquid reasons - attendee favorites - to consider a Speakeasy event for your next meeting:

1. Sloe Gin Ginger Sling, made of Beefeater Gin, Plymoth Sloe Gin, Cherry Heering, Orchard Apricot Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Extract, Cane Extract and Chilled Perrier.

2. The Green Fairy, made of Green Chartreuse, Luxardo Marschino Liquer, Raw Egg and Nutmeg.
3. The Dark & Stormy, made of Goslings Black Seal Rum, Falernum, Fresh Lime Juice, Fresh Ginger Extract, Angostura Bitters, Cane Syrup and Chilled Perrier.

3 Big Changes at South Street Seaport

The South Street Seaport has been a hotspot of New York City visitors for 27 years, but the facility hasn't been looking so hot - until now.

3 big changes are coming to the Seaport's 90,000 sqaure-foot complex:

1. Windows, lots of them!  The Seaport looks like a barn right now, and that will be replaced with 3 levels of floor to ceiling windows, offering sweeping views of the East River.

2. A rooftop park.  Looks to be the East Side's version of the popular High Line.

3. New, high-end tenants.  While tourists have frequented the souvenier and T-shirt shops, the venue's top retailers - JCrew, Victoria's Secret and Express - have performed quite well and similar stores are coming soon.

 

Eat the Centerpiece too!

Edible centerpieces have become incredibly popular at corporate meetings and events.  A crowd-favorite here in New York City are cupcakes and we paired demand with the city’s first-ever Broadway-inspired cupcake! For example, we can develop a pistachio cupcake centerpiece based on the stage musical Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert's trademark dancing cupcake costumes. Pistachio meringue butter cream topped with a meringue kiss, bright edible confetti and iridescent "disco dust" also saves the environment!

Fashion Week Reinvents Major Trade Shows

Amid the debate about whether New York needs a massive convention center in Queens comes another successful February Fashion Week in 2012.

New York's Fashion Week is considered the premier event in its industry and has stayed on top by boldly evolving, improving the experience for visitors and attendees, and taking advantage of the hospitality venues that speak to its audience.  Manhattan has become a transformative hotel market and properties are continually opening that combine design, convenience, excitement, comfort, and technology. 

When Fashion Week organizers decided to move from makeshift tents at Bryant Park to the renovated elegance of Lincoln Center, they were met with some groans of nostalgia.  That was for an event held in September, which is widely considered the nicest weather month of the year in New York.  Despite a mild winter, the contrast between the February version built over grass that can get icy, cold and sloppy versus at an iconic venue with more controlled atmospheres is more pronounced. 

New York offers so any choices of venues for holding a show, it's not hard please specific attendees at one or multiple unique locations that suit their style, mobility, business requirements, and thirst for entertainment.  In our opinion, this is the true future of major events. 

And if you think New York's most conventional exposition venue - the Javits Center - has somehow lost its mojo, think again.  It's book solid for the next few years.

BROADWAY UPDATE: Catch Philip Seymour Hoffman for 16 Weeks

Philip Seymour Hoffman is headed to Broadway for 16 weeks as the star of Death of a Salesman.

Previews begin on February 13 and the supporting cast includes; Linda Emond, a Tony Award nominee and the actress who played opposite of Meryl Streep in "Julie and Julia"; and Andrew Garfield, who played "Eduardo" in the 2010 film, "The Social Network."

Shackman Associates regularly provides corporate meeting and incentive groups with exciting Broadway experiences that have included backstage tours and themed events based on popular productions. 

3 More Ways to "Heat" up Outdoor Corporate Events in the Winter

Shackman Associates New York recently published ideas on how to hold outdoor corporate events in the winter that included retractable roofs and sophisticated snuggies. 

In 2012, we're shedding the robes and focusing our eyes in the opposite direction:

1. Heated Floors.  Some of New York's top rooftop venues will keep you on your toes with spectacular views and keep them warm too with floors that automatically heat up when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Farenheit.

2. Fire Pits and Pitas.  It's no longer impossible to find a fire pit east of the Rockies!  Legal ones, that is.  "Porch" style venues are incorpating a touch of the wild west with other amenities like the ever-popular food truck.  If your event is in the evening, the city's numerous taco and greek food trucks can be added to a fire-side teambuilding chat.

3. Wind-resistant heated tents.  Heated tents aren't necessarily a revelation, but if you can erect one that withstands 100mph winds, now you're on to something.  Ok, New York City winter winds aren't that bad, but they can sure whip around a corner in January and February.  Event venues with heated, flapped tents are now offering a truly outdoor experience with wind-chill-supplanting room temperatures.

Still cold?  New York City's mixologists are creating new drinks in the New Year including ginger juleps, honey and tobacco-infused rum, tequila spiced with chili.

LED Events Illuminate 2012

LED is taking lighting and digital video anywhere for any kind of event.  Whether it is taking lighting under water to light flowers, lighting trees without needing wires, and even putting LED lighting in fabric  - do not worry about starting a fire, the possibilities are endless.   Here's an example of how far lighting has advanced – Shackman Associates New York organized a 10-boat flotilla a few years ago for 2,500 meeting attendees on the Hudson River with each boat lit in a different color.  This was an enormous, laborious project that would take a fraction of the time to pull off today.

Video lighting has advanced to the point where a meeting can feature paper-thin video screens and walls of steam for videos.  Events can replicate things in real life you used to only see in movies.  With enough creativity, events can do almost anything with lighting.

BROADWAY NEWS

“Spider-Man  Turn Off the Dark”  reigns supreme!.After it’s on again off again start, Spider-Man has now achieved the distinction of the highest single-week grossing show in Broadway history!  Nine shows during the Christmas/New Year period yielded almost $3 million dollars.  Who would have thought this show would have soared to such great heights after such a bumpy start!

“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” is back on Broadway featuring the one and only Audra McDonald.  Ms. McDonald’s significant fan base can catch her in the title role stirring up a storm with Norm Lewis in this dramatic new staging of the classic musical.  Not to be missed!!

“Harry Potter” makes way for “GLEE” in “How to Success in Business Without Really Trying” .Or, should we say, Darren Criss (aka Blaine in “GLEE”) has taken over the role of  J. Pierrepont Finch from the venerable Daniel Radcliffe, who opened in the role of this new production.  Following in their footsteps (or dance shoes) is Nick Jonas (of The Jonas Brothers) who will take the stage on January 24.  As you can imagine, tickets are selling like hot cakes!

Happy New Year from SANY!

As Times Square 2011 winds down, we at SANY have been actively gearing up for the busy-ness of 2012. New York is proud to host the following annual events, and SANY is happy to be providing customized services for clients participating in many of these events.




Jan 15-18          Nat Retail Federation Annual Convention & Expo
Jan 28- Feb 2    New York International Gift Fair
Feb 9-16           New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012
Mar 2-4             New York Times Travel Show
Mar 22-25         International Vision Expo
Apr 6-15           New York International Auto Show
Apr 22-24         International Beauty Show
June 5-7           Book Expo America
June 16-24       Pride Week
July 4               Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
Oct 11-14         New York Comic Con
Nov 4               ING New York City Marathon
Nov 22             Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

See you in New York in 2012!

90,000 Reasons Why Rooms Matter

Travel and Leisure Magazine recently released a survey of top US winter destinations, and while January New York City weather wasn’t ideal for some, the city is accomodating more groups and more major events regardless of the climate and hotel room capacity is a big reason why. 

New York City will reach a record 90,000 rooms by the end of 2011 and another 7,000 are on the way from 50 hotels that are expected to open in 2013.

Despite a global recession, New York City’s hotel rooms have increased by 24% since 2006 and occupancy rates have led the country at 85%.  These aren’t motels off an interstate exit – some of the world’s top boutique hotels are opening in all five boroughs and celebrity chefs are battling each other for restaurant space in each of these venues.

As a leading DMC, Shackman Associates New York has found that business meeting clients and corporate incentive groups love the design elements, technology and cuisine options at New York City's new breed of boutiques. 

More Apple in the Big Apple

Grand Central Station was the center of the tech universe this as Apple opened its newest store in the iconic transportation hub.

For anyone who loved the the location's previous venue - Metrazur - it's a bittersweet thing.  A site for multiple galas and meeting events, we're hoping Metrazur finds a new home in Manhattan and that other distinctly "New York" venues remain where they are for travelers from around the world to enjoy.

3 Ideas to Add Spice, Smiles and even a Soprano to Your Meeting Entertainment

You don’t have to send your entire meeting delegation to a off-site venue to get a flavor of New York’s most unique entertainment experience.  Shackman Associates New York is bringing some great entertainers right to the ballroom.  Here are 3 examples:

1.      Drag Queens as Event MCs.  While New York City boasts several very famous venues, getting a group into Lucky Chengs can take forever, and the quarters a bit cramped.  We recently brought an act to a large ballroom gala where hundreds of attendees were entertained without having to leave the meeting venue.

2.       Comedians.   New York City is the home to thousands of incredibly talented comedians, and the ratio of performers to venues is staggering.   Many young comedians are graduates of highly-ranked 4-year colleges and will take extra time to develop a clever gig that is customized toward your group.

3.      Opera singers.  You don’t need to visit Lincoln Center to hear great opera singing.  Opera singers are appearing at private venues throughout New York and can add an extra touch of class at a gala for your corporate meeting or destination incentive trip.

 

                                                            Photo Courtesy of Sodahead

Meetings Channel Your Inner Rockstar

Worried about what the entertainment at your meeting's gala will sound like? Why not become the entertainment!   Shackman Associates New York recently helped a destination corporate meeting client do just that. 

We can mix meeting groups of all sizes with local New York musicians who have toured with some of the biggest acts in the world and create, within one day, original music about the corporate conference - ok, it probably had to be amusing! - or about something the company is doing that is really cool.

It's not even remotely close to karaoke - instead, meeting attendees rehearse in a professional studio with band members one day and perform on-stage the next night.

Hugh Jackman Continues Parade of Big Stars Coming to Broadway

If your corporate meeting group is looking for a unique experience in New York, Shackman Associates New York is pleased to report that Hugh Jackman is bringing concert act to Broadway for an eight-week run. Previews begin October 25 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The limited run closes January 1.

Backed by an 18-piece orchestra, Tony Award winner Jackman will perform a selection of his favorite musical numbers, including tunes fromThe Boy from Oz.

Jackman's stage credits include Oklahoma! at Britain's National Theatre and award-winning work in Sunset Boulevard and Beauty & the Beast in his native Australia. Known for his film roles in the X-Men trilogy, Jackman will be seen in the film version of Les Miserables.

Harvesting Corporate Incentives

It’s harvest season in New York and that includes several wineries right here in Manhattan.  If you’re planning a 2012 meeting in New York and looking for a convenient teambuilding event, city wineries have become ideal venues.

You’re probably wondering where a winery could find acres of land in Manhattan to rival the valleys of California or North Fork of Long Island.  The wineries here are very different, but the varietals offered (or created by you) are quite refreshing!

For example, one venue in Manhattan offers classes that are fun for teambuilding and features a concert stage for exclusive corporate meeting galas.  Another venue in Brooklyn is more intimate, harvests award-winning house wines and we have relationships that can provide corporate groups an exciting event throughout the entire facility, including its outdoor component (perfect for food vendors) and renowned picture booth.

While many New York restaurants serve wine from Long Island’s multiple vineyards, your group can enjoy a unique experience by harvesting a Fall event for your company here at a city winery.

QR Invades Fashion Week!

QR is about to become this year’s craze at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, which starts on Thursday.

No, it's not a designer - instead, QR (Quick Response) is a 2-D barcode that can be scanned by a smart phone's camera and transfer information. Based on the type of code it is, it might direct the viewer to a website, make a phone call, deliver a vCard, or view a map and picture.

Diesel just launched an innovative campaign where customers can scan a QR code on a product, and be redirected to the Fan Page where they can check out other looks and the content available on the page.

Thousands of bloggers who attend major shows like Fashion Week will incorporate QR codes they see at the tents into mobile blogging.  By incorporating Fashion GPS that was so successful last year, QR at designer booths, and mobile shared-image communities such as Instagram, bloggers will have more influence than ever!

New Luxury Signature and Boutique Hotels in Midtown Manhattan

Shackman Associates New York has reviewed exciting boutique hotels in Chelsea, Nolita, and Downtown that host meeting and corporate incentive groups.   This exciting trend has now reached Midtown with two properties – The Setai and Chatwal – that offer almost 5,000 square feet of corporate meeting space. 

The Setai offers meeting groups close proximity to Bryant Park and an event venue that directly overlooks Fifth Avenue.  The Chatwal’s modern amenities compliment an atmosphere that take meeting groups back in time to the heyday of New York’s famous Lamb’s Club, Built in 1905, this Stanford White-designed building was a clubhouse for The Lambs, America’s first professional theater club, and served as home away from home for its members such as Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, John Barrymore, Spencer Tracy and Fred Astaire. These infamous notables spent many a night in their “grill room” swapping tales, and breaking into song.

With luxury making a comeback at corporate meetings and incentives, New York City continues to roll-out spectacular hotels on iconic properties.

Photo courtesy of NYCGo

Shackman Finds Secret NYC Restaurants for Meeting Attendees

Travelers often associate a business trip to New York City with a meal at one of the city's high-profile eateries.

At Shackman Associates, we can help meeting attendees find Manhattan's "secret" restaurants, which dining experiences small business groups will remember.  Some venues are initimate enough  - like the Wine Cellar at 21 - to accomodate a private lunch or dinner meeting of association executives.  Others are located in quiet neighborhoods that are close enough to hotels and nightlife without being inundated with tourists. 

For example, one venue just 5 blocks from the Gansevoort Hotel in Chelsea offers a private upstairs party room that few people know about and a lively lounge downstairs to continue an after-event celebration.  These kinds of venues are perfect for small incentive groups.
Want to eat New York's world-class sushi and avoid the lines in Midtown?  We are familiar with several Upper West Side establishments who can accommodate groups with an incredibly fresh menu of creative plates.

Copacabana Re-Opens in Times Square!

The Copacabana is making its comeback in Times Square with their new 25,000 square foot restaurant and dance club. The Copa, which has been without a home since 2007, has taken over the former China Club space near Times Square. After undergoing a full renovation, the space will reopen as a restaurant and dance club, complete with a glass enclosed rooftop, nightly live music acts, a 16-seat bar and 125 varieties of rum.  Of course, the"retro-glamorous" Supper Club vibe is back too. The chef will be Alex Garcia, the Nuevo Latino fixture who opened Patria with Douglas Rodriguez before going on to launch Calle Ocho, and then Gaucho Staek Company and Carniceria in Brooklyn

The four story space officially opens to the public on July 12^th boasting the beloved Copa Dancers.

Hoping Metrazur Finds a New Home!

In true New York spirit, our team bid one last fond farewell to a New York Landmark. Home to over a decade of some of the best food in such an iconic setting, Metrazur is closing its doors as of July 1^st.

As an ode to the restaurant, we each listed our favorite dishes from over the past 11 years:

Allison: Any of their Seasonal Soups – fresh & filling
Emily: Happy Hour Cosmopolitans!
Ilana: Hand Cut Ahi Tuna Tartare with Taro Root Chips
Javier: Seared Sea Scallops with Crab Meat, Frisee, Lemon, Scallion Smoked Paprika, and Red Pepper Sage
Jeff: The Raisin Bread!
Karen: Lobster Cobb Salad
Krista: The Nero Di Seppia Risotto with Wood Oven Prawns
Mayra: Dessert… The Warm Chocolate Chip & Banana Financier… Yum!

PS…We hear that Metrazur is looking for a new outpost – so stay in touch with us to find out where and when!

Hold a Meeting at NYC's Most Intimate Museums and Iconic Venues

If you were attending an architectural conference in New York, how great would it be to enjoy a special lunch in what is considered one of the world’s “Great Buildings?”

And while it is not exactly a museum, how about a dinner for a financial meeting on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange?

Shackman Associates New York has helped meeting groups hold unique events in both iconic and unique venues in Manhattan.  As summer tourists jam major museums, we recommend lesser-traveled venues with incredible exhibits and charm.  For example, New York City is home to museums where high-quality art can be viewed comfortably in two hours and features paintings from the great European artists most meeting attendees would recognize.  Some museums were originally private art collections in mansions, are presented to help visitors enjoy the artwork in the same manner as mansion-owner, and include ornate furniture and grand architecture that can be enjoyed as much as the exhibits themselves!

We recently held a dinner for an association at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Temple of Dendure exhibit with live performers.  Whether your meeting wants to think big or intimate, New York has plenty of venues to satisfy your thirst for a unique museum experience!   

Association Dinner at the Temple of Dendur

Celebrate America in Style at Your 2012 Meeting

New York City’s July 4^th Fireworks Show is returning to the Hudson River and is considered the one of the best in the world. 

With July 4^th landing in Mid-Week for 2012, piggybacking a destination meeting around the 4th could provide your attendees a unique experience, especially if your group is International.  For example, we are taking clients on a site inspection during this year’s Independence Day in anticipation for their 2012 meeting.   

While New Yorkers scramble to find rooftops and crowded piers to watch Fireworks, we suggest rooftop venues where we have close relationships with proprietors or better yet, a yacht cruise.  There are chartered yachts available for Hudson River cruises and if you want something more exclusive, we work closely with private yacht companies who can provide your meeting attendees with an unforgettable experience on the water.   

Meetings Go Flash Mob in New York

AT&T has been airing a brilliantly funny commercial featuring a Flash Mob - scheduled for Grand Central Station - that goes horribly south when one of the participants doesn’t get a text message postponing the event for 30 minutes.

Fortunately for meeting groups, “Oops Mobs” can be avoided with expert planning and close relationships DMC’s have with popular Mob venues. We’re organizing Flash Mobs throughout the city, including a recent one at Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.

Meeting attendees love the idea of showing up a landmark they want to see in a very unique way. It’s certainly not your average tour of New York and that’s what makes Flash Mobs so memorable. They are increasingly supplementing board rooms, ballrooms and conference rooms as the hot corporate and incentive teambuilding venue in New York City.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd8ppk0UCx8

Splish, Splash! Cool Off by New York's Spectacular Hotel Pools for Meetings, Incentives and Events

Manhattan offers meeting groups choices of poolside venues that would make any cul-de-sac subdivision in Arizona or Florida jealous. 

There are nine premier pools in New York that combine meeting elements by day with spectacular evening pool venues overlooking the city skyline.  Shackman Associates New York puts its relationships with hoteliers to work in creating unique summer pool experiences that locals often claim is one of the best reasons to live in Manhattan.

Unique Shows and Big Stars Take Broadway by Storm

We are fortunate to have top stars and writers leading a new breed of musicals and plays In New York City:
The House of Blue Leaves. While the production is not new, it now boasts stars Edie Falcofrom The Sopranos and Ben Stiller who has starred in multiple Hollywood box office hits including Meet the Parents.

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Starring comedian Robin Williams, the lives of two American Marines and an Iraqi translator are forever changed by an encounter with a quick-witted tiger who haunts the streets of war-torn Baghdad attempting to find meaning, forgiveness and redemption amidst the city’s ruins.

The Book of Mormon follows two young Missionaries, a go-getter and a nerd, who are sent to Uganda to convert citizens to the Mormon religion. Composed by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone with Avenue Q’s Robert Lopez, the production features the animated TV series’ signature brand of intelligent yet over-the-top humor.

Marie and Bruce. If you want to experience theater like a real New Yorker, Off-Broadway productions are featuring A-List talent. A remake of Marie and Bruce opened on April 7 and stars Oscar-winning actress Marissa Tomeiand Frank Whaley of Pulp Fiction.

ShackmanAssociates has close relationships with production companies throughout Manhattan and has worked with groups to secure unique theater experiences.

11 Ideas for NYC Meetings and Events in '11 - #1 Food Trucks!

Every New Yorker knows you really haven’t dined in Manhattan unless you sample the street food.  Food trucks and carts have become so competitive and unique, the city now holds a major competition every September with thousands of attendees. Even Iron Chef Bobby Flay couldn’t out-duel a curbside chef on a recent episode of “Throwdown".
Shackman Associates New York has incorporated food trucks into meetings and it’s getting rave reviews. Our favorite ideas include:
Welcome Trucks – try greeting meeting attendees on arrival with one of New York’s top trucks outside the hotel. We have used cupcake vendors.

Walk and Waffle – After a group walking tour of Central Park, we provided a Waffle Truck for attendees to refuel with tasty energy.

Hot Dogs in the Ballroom – New York is famous for its street dogs. If your meeting needs a quick break, we bring the hot dog cart to you with all the delicious fixings.

Spiderman Returns from the Dark

It’s baaaack. After taking a deep breath for a month and with some re-tooling, Spiderman Turn Off The Dark returned to the Foxwoods Theater last week for several preview performances for its second opening in June. We checked it out on Saturday. Among the notable changes is the new beginning that, quite frankly, makes more sense and returns the show to its comic book roots.


Although the show’s recent controversies have made it a hot ticket and its Playbill sometimes doubling as an injury report, Spiderman is still a must-see among a new breed of exciting Broadway production. After all, Bono is still the man behind the music!

Boot Camps, Latin Beats and Bike Lanes - 3 Warm Weather Ideas to Keep Your Meeting Fit and Fun

We are constantly being asked by meeting groups to ensure hotels have fitness facilities for attendees. Many of them, especially the properties that have recently opened, do. But isn’t spending a free hour or two isolated in a hotel gym a drag when it’s absolutely beautiful outside?


Here are 3 fit and fun-loving group ideas to keep your meeting attendees active.

1. Central Park Fitness Boot Camps – Tired of step-classes in a sweaty gym? New York’s top personal trainers like Duke Diet model Josh Margolis conduct “Boot Camps” for corporate groups in green pastures with spectacular views of Manhattan’s skyline.

Photos Courtesy of Josh Margolis - Mind over Matter NYC

2. Salsa, Anyone? - While it’s not hard to find a restaurant or club that offers Salsa lessons, it’s even better to hold a group Summer Salsa Night in Riverside Park with the cool breezes of the Hudson River. This venue idea offers a great evening of music and more views of the skyline with the backdrop of the George Washington Bridge and Palisades Mountains to the north.

3. New York now a Biker’s Paradise – We have arranged many bike tours of Central Park and with the Mayor’s enthusiastic expansion of designated bikes lanes, we can help your meeting map out diverse and exciting routes throughout Manhattan.

UPDATE: We have just organized a 100-meeting-attendee bike tour of the West Side along the Hudson River which then routes our cyclists across lower Manhattan and over the Brooklyn Bridge!

Raptors and Ribs in New York

In a city where people think big, it's no surprise that the world's largest dinosaurs also liked Manhattan. 

While we are a few million years removed from the days when a pack T-Rexes moved at the speed of a cabbie down Broadway, The American Museum of Natural History's newest special exhibit offers your group the next best close encounter with the World's Largest Dinosaurs.  The exhibition features life-size bones and cutting-edge research on gigantic Sauropods, including the Mamenchisaurus, which was thought to be the largest living creature to ever exist on earth. 

Pre-historic Manhattan residents that size were probably hungry often - too bad they didn't have a venue like Dinosaur Barb-B-Que to satisfy their appetite.  Your group, however, does!  Considered by locals as the best wings and barbecued ribs on the East Coast, Dinosaur Barb-B-Que offers a unique, fun flavor of New York your meeting or incentive group will savor.

Dora Will Explore Times Square One More Time

With the Macy's flower show in full bloom, it should be noted that the store's biggest event - The Thanksgiving Day Parade - will stay on its current route down Broadway for one more year. In 2012, however, that may change.


Parade organizers have discussed moving the parade to 6th Avenue, which may create great uncertainty for any visitors looking for a top viewing location.. Over the years, SANY has helped meeting groups, especially those traveling from international destinations who have extended events into Thanksgiving, obtain great indoor venues from which to view the parade.

2011 may be a once-in-a-lifetime last chance to witness the Macy's Parade along its most revered and iconic route. Otherwise, be sure that we will be looking for new venues along the new parade route – wherever that may be.